Lesson 7: Initial Interview


Attention


Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this lesson's material, students will be able to:

  • Identify strategies to prepare for an initial interview

Teaching

The initial interview with a client often determines whether or not a client will follow through with services. The initial interview requires a delicate balance of gathering information while conveying warmth and empathy. The client should leave the interview feeling that they were heard and not feeling as though they have been interrogated!

For those cases which will not be handled in a single contact, you may be the intake worker obtaining the intake information but will not be, or need not be, the mental health worker or clinician who follows up on that case. Therefore, it is particularly vital that you record information in a clear, concise, and organized way on the intake paperwork so that the next worker will have a sound basis for continuing. This demonstrates not only courtesy for colleagues, but also respect for the client, who may find it annoying, embarrassing, or painful to keep repeating the same information. Sometimes filling out the paperwork may actually help ease anxieties for the client or his representative by giving a structure in which to explain the problem and giving the two of you a shared task. Information from the intake process continues to be valuable throughout the client's course of treatent. It may be also be reviewed in the future to evaluate long-term outcomes for clients or the agency (http://ssw.unc.edu/cares/rk/2intake.pdf).

Part of the intake involves asking about previous mental health difficulties. Everyone has had times of emotional stress with minor disruption of function. The worker is not seeking information concerning minor episodes of emotional stress but significant episodes with psychiatric symptoms that may bear on the present difficulties. Significant psychiatric problems are those that interfere with a person's daily activities. If the mental health problem is of enough severity to require hospitalization, it should be regarded as significant.

Purpose of the Initial Interview

Includes collecting information about the following:

  • Strengths - including external supports, talents, successes, capabilities, and attitudes
  • Weaknesses - including gaps in any strengths
  • Current problem and what has caused them to seek help NOW
  • Potential problems
  • A sense of who the person is

Interviewer Role

  • Establish relationship
  • Gather information
  • Assess eligibility for services
  • Gather information on current story
  • Professional sense of what is going on

Client Perceptions

  • May not want help
  • May not understand your role

Process

  • Meeting the client
  • Taking notes
  • Collecting information
  • Asking for more clarification
    • Open ended questions
    • Closed ended questions
  • Presenting problem
  • Client expectations
  • History taking and Assessments
  • Wrapping up
    • Questions
    • Define problem in language they understand
    • What do they expect?
    • What will happen next
    • Plan for next meeting?

Information about Treatment Planning: SMART Goals

The assignment in this Lesson has you using the Photos app to videotape your client interview. You will then use the YouTube app to upload the video and provide your instructor with a link to the video for the instructor to view it. Once your interview is done you will go into the Caseload Free app and write a note and document the referral you need to do.

Photos App

YouTube App

Caseloaf Free


Assessment

Lesson 7 Possible Class Discussion

In preparing for an intake interview, based on the question themes above, which subjects do you think you would have the most difficulty asking someone about?

Lesson 7 Assignment

Welcome to Western Psychological & Counseling Services!

Following the Intake process that you completed in Lesson 6, conduct an initial counseling session. You will need to follow up with your "client" and videotape the initial counseling session. Your questions will focus on the following:

  • What is the presenting problem?
  • Specifically define the barriers associated with the problem.
  • What strengths/resources does the client have that could be brought in to assist with the problem?
  • Developing an initial treatment plan:
    • Goals and Steps
    • Each step identifies a time frame
    • Each step is focused on either:
      • Something the client will do
      • Something the case manager will do (skill training)
      • A referral

Your session should be at least 5 minutes long but no more than 20 minutes. Part of learning to be a good case manager is learning time management and how to help keep your client focuses. You will upload these videos to your YouTube account and share the link with your instructor.

You will also submit (into Blackboard) a document answering the following questions:

  1. How did you feel about the way you asked questions and the responses you received?
  2. What were the challenges with trying to decide what to work on?
  3. Who ended up coming up with the action steps, your client or you?
  4. How did you do with time managment?
  5. What would you do different next time?